Do You Know How to Use a Fire Extinguisher?

Millions of people everyday rely on fire extinguishers to put out minor fires which start in the home. Fire extinguishers contain a powder which is known to instantly put out a fire and prevent it from spreading any further. In 2004, fire extinguishers saved over 25 lives in the United States and prevented over 1,500 injuries. Fire departments all over the world encourage home owners to have at least one fire extinguisher in the home at all times. That said, studies show that approximately 80% of homeowners do have at least one in their home, but the question is do they know how to use it?

Sure it's great to know there's a fire extinguisher close by if you ever need one, but what most people don't understand is if you don't know how to use these devices, they are practically useless. Everyone should know how to use a fire extinguisher and if you are one of the many who don't, the follow steps will provide you with everything you need to know.

The easiest way to learn how to use a fire extinguisher is to memorize the acronym P.A.S.S. and memorize the meaning of each letter. The following list will provide you with the meanings of each letter:

P – The first letter to remember is "P". This indicates to the user to pull the pin. Pulling the pin is the first step in the process and is crucial to the successful execution of fire extinguishers.

A – The "A" stands for Aim. This tells the user to aim the fire extinguisher nozzle towards the base of the flames.

S – The first "S" stands for Squeeze. This advises the user to squeeze the trigger while maintaining the extinguisher in an upright position.

S – The last "S" stands for Sweep. The user will then sweep the extinguisher from side to side making sure to cover the area of the fire completely.

Remembering the word PASS can save the life of you or someone you love.

Having a fire extinguisher in your home is a great idea however the location of your extinguisher is a determining factor in whether or not it will be useful. You will want to keep your fire extinguisher in areas which are most likely to produce fires such as kitchens, near fireplaces, garages or areas with a number of candles (perhaps a bedroom).

Do not keep your fire extinguisher near your stove. Stoves are a prime target for fires and should a fire break out near your stove, you will want to be able to access your extinguisher. You may also want to keep your extinguisher near an exit so you can leave it the fire becomes too large.

Know the Basic of Fire Extinguisher

Using the right type of fire extinguisher in the proper way can keep a small fire from becoming a destructive and dangerous one. A fire in your residence can involve any one or a combination of three things: live electricity, combustible solids, or flammable liquids.

The best fire extinguishers are rated ABC, and can handle any of these type of fire. However, some extinguishers can only douse one type of fire. For example:

Class A fires are fed by combustible solids, such as paper, wood, fabric, and most plastics. Class A extinguishers use water propelled by a gas, or can be easily pumped. Foam can also put out a Class A fire.

Class B fires burn in flammable liquids such as gasoline, grease, oil and kerosene. Foam, carbon dioxide (CO2), and dry chemical Class B extinguishers are effective against these types of fires. Never use a Class A extinguisher with a Class B fire, as water will spread the flames.

Class C fires are caused by live electricity. Use a CO2 or dry chemical extinguisher on electrical fires. Never use foam or water, because you could suffer a serious shock and/or spread the fire. With the power off, Class C fires become Class A or B.

When purchasing a fire extinguisher, it should be rated by an independent testing agency such as Underwriters Laboratory (UL, or ULC in Canada). Look closely at the label for a number that indicates the capacity of its contents. The larger the number, the greater the capacity, but also the more the extinguisher will weigh. Home fire extinguishers typically weigh from 10 to 36 pounds.

Be sure to think about how many extinguishers you will need. At minimum, buy one each for the basement, garage, and kitchen. Providing a fourth for your sleeping area is highly recommended. As soon as you get the extinguisher home, read the directions in front of your family, and recheck the extinguishers monthly to make sure they are fully charged.

Mount each fire extinguisher near a doorway, no more than five feet above the floor. Keep them as far as possible from any location in which a fire could likely break out, such as a range, wood stove, or fireplace.

How to Choose the Most Suitable Fire Extinguisher for House

Fire extinguisher serves as first line battle against the fire before fire brigade arrives your house if there is any fire. It is advisable to have at least two fire extinguishers in your house.

Fire occurs if the following elements exist:

(i) oxygen
(ii) heat
(iii) fuel and
(iv) chemical reaction.


These elements form the Fire Triangle.

Fire can be extinguished by removing or isolating any of those elements in the Fire Triangle from the rest.

There are many types of fire extinguisher available in the market. It is vital that you use the correct fire extinguisher to extinguish a fire. The wrong type of fire extinguisher may not be able to put off the fire and hence not effective. Using incorrect agent can allow the fire to re-ignite after apparently being extinguished successfully.

Some suppliers are ignorant about the suitable type of fire extinguisher for different household use. It is advisable to check the fire extinguisher you have in your home.

Household use

Normally a fire in a house occurs on wood, paper, cloth, plastic etc. This type of fire is known as Class A fire.

Fire also quite often occurs in the kitchen involving cooking oil and grease like animal fats and vegetable fats. This is Class K fire.

Sometimes, fire also occurs at electrical equipments like motor, transformer and appliances. This type of fire is called Class C fire.

Recommendation

The suitable fire extinguisher for household use are:-

i. Dry chemical fire extinguisher
It is effective on Class A and Class C fire. It extinguishes fire primarily by interrupting the chemical reaction of the Fire Triangle. It works by creating a barrier between oxygen and fuel elements of Class A fire.
ii. Water mist
This type of fire extinguisher is primarily for Class A fire although they are safer for use on Class C fire. It extinguishes fire by taking away the heat element of the Fire Triangle.
iii. Cartridge operated dry chemical
This agent works by creating a barrier between the oxygen element and fuel element on Class A fire. It is also suitable for use on Class C fire.


If you choose to use any of the above fire extinguisher, you may achieve cost-effectiveness as it is suitable for both Class A and C fire.


Other types of fire extinguisher which are suitable only for one type of fire are:


i. Water and foam fire extinguisher
It is only suitable for Class A fire. It extinguishes fire by taking away the heat element from the Fire Triangle. It is not suitable for Class C fire which involves electrical equipments. You may get electrocuted because the water is current conductor.
ii. Carbon dioxide fire extinguisher
It can be used on Class C fire. It operates by taking away the oxygen element of the Fire Triangle and removing heat.
iii. Clean agent and halogenated fire extinguisher
It extinguishes Class C fire only. It involves halon agents and halocarbon agents. The agents extinguish fire by interrupting the chemical reaction of the Fire Triangle.


For kitchen involving Class K fire, you need to use wet chemical fire extinguisher. It operates by removing the heat element of the Fire Triangle and prevents re-ignition by creating a barrier between the oxygen and fuel elements. This type of fire extinguisher can be used on Class C fire as well.

In conclusion, you need to have 2 fire extinguishers i.e. one for Class A and C fire and the other for Class K fire in the kitchen.

Tips
Fire extinguisher must be maintained in accordance with the relevant local regulations. In Malaysia, fire extinguisher has to be maintained by the supplier once per year and examined by the Fire Brigade Department. The Fire Brigade will issue a Fire Brigade Certificate upon completion of examination and compliance with its regulations.